Jesus said, plainly, that in the last days, people would be ignorant and unprepared. How can this be true? Is it because there is no information available? Or, is it because people choose not to know?

As to the first question, information IS available. As to the second: “Bingo!” People prefer ignorance to knowledge. Knowledge can be disturbing, especially if we feel incapable of handling it and unprepared to act on it.

There are prophecy teachers in our world–Hal Lindsey, Jack VanImpe, and Irvin Baxter to name a few. Each of these men has a television program intended to keep people abreast of what’s happening in our world as it relates to Bible prophecy.

I occasionally visit church services other than where I am a resident member. This isn’t intended to be an indictment of the ministers in these churches, but I don’t recall hearing a prophetic message. Is it because the Lord doesn’t want these people to speak on Bible prophecy? Or, could it be that speaking on Bible prophecy requires too much study? Or, perhaps it’s because Bible prophecy is too uncertain? Still, another reason might be that Christians feel that knowledge of endtime prophecy is simply unnecessary. After all, the prevailing idea seems to be that the Lord will not allow anything to happen to His children. People misapply Paul’s words in 1 Thes. 5:1-9.

Back to our first statement: Jesus said, plainly, in the last days people would be ignorant and unprepared. His statement was intended to show His disapproval! It was to show the failure of His people. He said, “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” (Matthew 24:43) He was speaking about His return, and the fact some of His people would not be ready for it. Notice: HIS PEOPLE!

Jesus also made reference to Noah and the flood to add impetus to His warning (Mt. 24:37-39). The people of Noah’s day weren’t ready for the flood, even though Noah had preached for 120 years and warned the people as they saw him building the ark.

There is certain evidence in the Bible that shows we are living in the very closing moments of this present dispensation. “The Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants….” (Amos 3:7) Chaos is coming! Men’s hearts will fail them for fear, and for looking after the things that are coming on the earth. (Lk. 21:26)

Is there a way of escape? Most assuredly! But, it isn’t passive! It will require prior knowledge and preparation. The five wise virgins were ready! The five foolish weren’t! And, as I see what’s happening in our churches, I’m convinced that the average Christian isn’t ready for what’s ahead. Our Churches have settled into the condition Paul warned about in 2 Timothy, Chapters 3 & 4. They have denied the power of godliness, the one thing the five wise virgins had embraced and the five foolish hadn’t. (Mt. 25)

Church doctrine, in many instances, has become a study in “hand-me-downs.” People know what their parents believed but are ignorant of what the Bible says. They have turned their ears away from the truth. They have chosen preachers who will tickle their ears, telling them what they want to hear. Paul foretold each of these conditions.

As we watch things in the Middle East heating up, we wonder, “How long before Syria attacks Israel and Damascus becomes a heap of rubble?” (Isa. 17:1) When that happens, the following few months will be filled with great moves of God. Sadly, those who wait to see it won’t get ready in time to attend the wedding! (Mt. 12:39; 25:1-10)

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In 1972, the Club of Rome proposed dividing the earth into ten geopolitical regions. Those regions are: (1) North America; (2) South America; (3) Australia and New Zealand; (4) Western Europe; (5) Eastern Europe; (6) Japan; (7) Southern Asia; (8) Central Asia; (9) North Africa; and (10) The Remaining Territories of Africa. This seems to be a fulfillment of prophecies found in Daniel 7:24 and Revelation 17:12. Group No. 1 is made up of Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Have you wondered why there seems to be no emphasis placed on securing the United States’ border with Mexico? As the old adage says: If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck…if a person acts like a globalist, talks like a globalist…that person is very likely a globalist.

We seem to persist in electing men, and women, who have no fear of God. In fact, it is becoming politically incorrect to mention God in a public setting. It is against the law, in some places, to end a public prayer “in Jesus’ name!”

How long do we have to finish the work of evangelizing the world? Regardless of the efforts we may put forth, it can only delay for a time Satan’s plan to rule the world. The Bible is very clear in stating there will be a one-world government (Rev. 17:18). Regrettably, many Christians are hastening its coming by helping to elect those behind Satan’s plan, regardless of party affiliation.

Some churches persist in discouraging the preaching of prophecy. In addition, they are becoming the impotent bodies the apostle Paul foretold in his second letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 3:5). They are being held captive by men within the congregations who do not want to hear the truth! (2 Tim. 3:6-7)

If we are correct in our understanding of eschatology, prior to the appearance of the man of sin, we will experience the greatest revival of our time! (Mt. 24:14) Someone has said the Lord told him, “Miracles will be as easy as breathing!” Those typified by the five wise virgins of Matthew Chapter 25 must be removed (translated) so the man of sin may be revealed (2 Thes. 2:7). Those typified by the five foolish virgins will remain on earth; however, having obtained the oil they were lacking, they will continue the miracle ministry until the 1260 days of Revelation 12:6-14 are finished. The great works of God seem to last approximately 3 ½ years. As this miracle work of God wanes, the antichrist, the man of sin, the beast of Revelation, will enter the newly erected Jewish Temple, claim to be God, demand that all people worship him, and require a mark (perhaps by an implantable chip) without which no person will be able to buy or sell (Rev. 13:17). Multitudes of Christians will be martyred for refusal to comply with this mandate.

I’m constantly asking myself whether I will be one who preaches the gospel of the kingdom and be spared the wrath to come. How about you? We must prayerfully ask the Lord for wisdom in order to understand His will. As Paul said, we dare not compare ourselves to ourselves; for in doing so, we would be unwise (2 Cor. 10:12). Jesus is our example! The escape Jesus outlined is provided to those who are faithful to watch and pray (Lk. 21:36), and who patiently keep His Word (Rev. 3:10).

Remember, the general rapture of the Church follows the great tribulation because the first resurrection includes those who would not yield to the man of sin (Rev. 20:4-6).